This week’s Parsha Preview is co-dedicated to the refuah of Menachem Mendel Ben Faigie Ruchel, Yocheved Bat Leah, Simcha Bat Mazel, Ofek Ben Tali, Shimon Ben Miriam, Sara Bat Hodda, Avraham Moshe Ben Miriam Tova, Baruch Kalman ben Leiben Jacobs, Kyla Chaya Bat Sarah Polson, Rav Moshe Refael Ben Chasiba Halevy, Baruch Ben Faigle, Leiba Bat Devorah Esther may Hashem grant them all a speedy recovery and a complete healing.
This week’s Parsha Preview is also dedicated to the memory and Yartzeit of Avraham Ben David may his Neshama have an aliyah.
Once again, you can have this Parshah Preview dedicated in honour or memory of a loved one, you can ask for a refuah or simply acknowledge a milestone. It does not cost a thing all you have to do is ask. Please update me on the people who we are davening and learning for.
Join my blog @
http://parshapreview.blogspot.com or http://apps.facebook.com/liveblog/entry/477263
Happy Birthday to my friends who will celebrate Birthday’s this coming week:
Happy Birthday to:
Maxwell Kates
Renee Heitner
Prosper Lugassy
“Ad Meyah Vesrim Shannah”
Acharei-Kedoshim
Leviticus 16:1-20:27
Candle Lighting in Toronto 7:52 P.M.
Candle Lighting in Thornhill 7:52 P.M.
Number Of Mitzvot: 28
2 Mitzvot Aseh (Positive Commandment)
26 mitzvah Lo Taaseh (Negative Commandment - Prohibition)
Haftora: (Additional portion, from Prophets, which is read after the Parsha)
After Parshat Kedoshim
Amos 9:7 - 15 (Ashkenazim);
Yechezkel / Ezekiel 20:2 - 20 (Sepharadim)
Pesach Sheni is Wednesday, 14 Iyar - April 28, 2010 Some have the custom of eating Shmurah Matzah.
This Shabbat we study Chapter 3 of Pirkei Avot - "Ethics of the Fathers."
This week's reading, Acharei-Kedoshim, begins with a detailed description of the service of the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur. Dozens of commandments are then discussed in this week's reading. Among them: the prohibitions against offering sacrifices outside the Beit Hamikdash; consuming blood; incestuous, adulterous, or other forbidden relationships; various mandatory gifts for the poor; love for every Jew, prohibition against sorcery; honesty in business dealings; and sexual morality.
The Kohen Gadol is instructed to only enter the Holy of Holies chamber of the sanctuary once a year, on Yom Kippur; and even on this holiest day of the year, the entry into the Beit Hamikdash's inner sanctum must be accompanied by a special service and specific offerings which are detailed in this weeks parsha reading. The Kohen Gadol was only permitted to enter amidst a cloud of burning incense. Also, special white garments were worn by the Kohen Gadol on this day. While offering the day's sacrifices, the Kohen Gadol would "confess" on behalf of the entire nation, attaining atonement for the past year's sins. This section continues with a description of the "scapegoat" ceremony procedure.
After concluding the order of the Yom Kippur service in the Beit Hamikdash, the Torah instructs us to observe Yom Kippur as a Day of Atonement when we must abstain from work and "afflict" ourselves. The Jews are then forbidden to offer sacrifices anywhere other than the Tabernacle or Beit Hamikdash.
We are advised not to eat or drink blood. When slaughtering fowl or undomesticated animals, we are obligated to cover their blood with earth. The Jews are cautioned not to follow the perverted ways of the Egyptians and Canaanites. On this note, the Torah provides a list of prohibited sexual relationships. The list includes adultery, cohabiting with a menstruating woman, and forbidden close relatives.
The prohibitions against homosexuality and bestiality are cited. The Jews are then warned that engaging in these forbidden relationships will result in their expulsion from the Land of Israel -- a holy land which cannot tolerate immoral behavior. G-d commands the Jewish people to be holy. This section then briefly discuses several laws: respecting parents; observing the Shabbat; prohibitions against idolatry; the obligation to burn "leftover" sacrificial meat; the obligation to leave certain parts of one's harvest for the poor; not to lie, cheat, withhold wages, swear falsely, curse or mislead another irrespective if they are Jewish or of another nation.
Not to pervert justice, gossip, be indifferent to a fellow's predicament, hate a fellow Jew, bear grudges, or take revenge. To reprimand a sinner, and to love every Jew. The following statutes are also given here: not to sow a field with two kinds of seed, wear a garment made of a mixture of wool and linen (shatnez), or crossbreed animals. The section also includes with the laws of one who commits adultery with a half-free maidservant. We are introduced to the laws of "orlah," the prohibition against eating the fruit of a new sapling for the first three years, and the obligation to sanctify the fruit of the fourth year. We are counseled not to engage in witchcraft or prostitution, or tattoo our bodies. Men are instructed not to destroy the hair at the edges of their scalp or the corners of their beards. We are commanded to observe the Shabbat; respect G-d's sanctuary, Torah scholars and the elderly.
We are commandment to love converts. We are also further required to be truthful in business dealing by maintaining honest weights and measures. The Torah prescribes capital punishment for one who worships Molech; a form of idolatry which required human sacrifices usually a first born child. The Torah also describes the punishment which will befall the nation if they neglect to punish Molech worshippers.
The Torah sets the punishments for individuals who curse their parents and those who engage in prohibited sexual relations. We are instructed not to follow the customs and traditions of the heathens, and to be meticulous about eating only kosher foods. The Torah portion ends with a reminder and request that we be holy.
G-d told Moshe, "Speak to the entire congregation of the Children of Israel and tell them, 'Be holy, for I, your G-d, am holy.' " (Vayikra 19:1- 2)
There are many ways to state the mission statement of the Jewish people, primarily "to be a light unto nations." Or, more specifically, like the moon reflects the light of the sun to mankind, the Jewish people are meant to reflect the light of G-d (Torah) to the world. That is the "WHAT" of the Jewish people.
This week's parshah is the "HOW" of the Jewish people. How does one become a light unto nations? The answer is by being holy, and the holier the better. The main symbol of this holiness was the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) who wore a gold plate on his forehead that said "Holy to G-d." However, in Parashat Yitro the entire Jewish nation was referred to as being a "Nation of Priests," and therefore even though we may not actually wear a gold plate on our forehead with such an inscription, its message must still be foremost in our minds.
One would think that a head-plate bearing such a holy message should be made of a humbler material instead of gold. Gold is gaudy, the symbol of wealth and often arrogance, but that was precisely the point. The Tzitz that the Kohen Gadol wore wasn't only telling us to be holy in all that we do, but that holiness also means sanctifying all that we use. If something has great potential for evil when used the wrong way, like the golden calf for example, then it has great potential for good when used the right way.
Thus, the Torah is a manual that shows us the potential of Creation for either good or for evil, which, of course, was the primary message of the Aitz HaDa'at Tov v'Rah (the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil). G-d told Adam HaRishon, "This tree has potential to be used for good, or for evil. Your free-will will determine in which direction it is used. The same is true for all of Creation."
At this time of year we count the Omer - 49 days from the second night of Pesach until Shavuot, the 50th day. Just as there are 49 Levels of Spiritual Impurity, there are 49 Levels Spiritual of Purity - Mem-Tet Panim Tumah v'Mem-Tet Panim Tahora. As the pasuk says, G-d is holy, the Ultimate Holiness, and since Shavuot is about an encounter with the Ultimate Holiness, ultimately, we must be as holy as possible. The Omer is meant to facilitate that process.
With the exception of Lag B'Omer, we count straight through. During Roman times as Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai was about to die, he revealed to his students what he had received from the mouth of his teacher, what would later become the basis of the Zohar HaKadosh (the Holy Zohar). He did this on the 33rd day of the Omer, giving this particular day somewhat of a festive feeling.
Of course, nothing is ever by coincidence. The particular character trait associated with that week of the counting as of the 29th day of the Omer is that of Hod (Glory), the trait of the Kohen Gadol, the symbol of holiness. And, just as each of the seven weeks of the Omer-Count has its own particular trait, Chesed, Gevurah, Tifferet, Netzach, Hod, Yesod, and Malchut, so does each of the seven days of a particular week, which in the case of the 33rd day, also happens to be Hod.
Thus, Lag B'Omer is the trait of Hod sh'b'Hod (the Glory of Glory), the essence of the Kohen Gadol, the basis of all holiness.
Hence, Lag B'Omer is a spiritual threshold that separates the first 32 days of the Omer from the last 17 days, including the 50th day. It tells us what the focus should have been until then in order to prepare us for the receiving of Torah, and what the application must become in the remaining period of time. And again, it is no coincidence that 32 is the gematria of the Hebrew word leiv (heart), and 17 is the gematria of the word tov (good), especially since Rebi Yochanan ben Zakkai taught:
He said to them: Go out and see which is the best way for a person to be. Rebi Eliezer said, "A good eye." Rebi Yehoshua said, "A good friend." Rebi Yosi said, "A good neighbor." Rebi Shimon said, "Anticipating what will happen." Rebi Elazar said, "A good heart." He told them, "I relate best to the opinion of Rebi Elazar ben Arach for included in his words are your words." (Pirkei Avos 2:13)
A good heart it is then, just as the Omer-Count also teaches, though only if Lag B'Omer is included.
If you need a place for Shabbat Meals or you would like to experience a more traditional Shabbat experience please do not hesitate to call. 416-829-1761.
Shabbat Shalom Umevorach-A peaceful and Blessed Shabbat
Yitzchak Alloul
This Parshah Preview is sponsored by Cars And Trucks 4 Less, Sales, Leasing and Financing. If you are in the market for a New or Used Vehicle give us a call “we will steer you in the right direction”. Please call 416-829-1761.
This week’s Parsha Preview is also dedicated to the memory and Yartzeit of Avraham Ben David may his Neshama have an aliyah.
Once again, you can have this Parshah Preview dedicated in honour or memory of a loved one, you can ask for a refuah or simply acknowledge a milestone. It does not cost a thing all you have to do is ask. Please update me on the people who we are davening and learning for.
Join my blog @
http://parshapreview.blogspot.com or http://apps.facebook.com/liveblog/entry/477263
Happy Birthday to my friends who will celebrate Birthday’s this coming week:
Happy Birthday to:
Maxwell Kates
Renee Heitner
Prosper Lugassy
“Ad Meyah Vesrim Shannah”
Acharei-Kedoshim
Leviticus 16:1-20:27
Candle Lighting in Toronto 7:52 P.M.
Candle Lighting in Thornhill 7:52 P.M.
Number Of Mitzvot: 28
2 Mitzvot Aseh (Positive Commandment)
26 mitzvah Lo Taaseh (Negative Commandment - Prohibition)
Haftora: (Additional portion, from Prophets, which is read after the Parsha)
After Parshat Kedoshim
Amos 9:7 - 15 (Ashkenazim);
Yechezkel / Ezekiel 20:2 - 20 (Sepharadim)
Pesach Sheni is Wednesday, 14 Iyar - April 28, 2010 Some have the custom of eating Shmurah Matzah.
This Shabbat we study Chapter 3 of Pirkei Avot - "Ethics of the Fathers."
This week's reading, Acharei-Kedoshim, begins with a detailed description of the service of the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur. Dozens of commandments are then discussed in this week's reading. Among them: the prohibitions against offering sacrifices outside the Beit Hamikdash; consuming blood; incestuous, adulterous, or other forbidden relationships; various mandatory gifts for the poor; love for every Jew, prohibition against sorcery; honesty in business dealings; and sexual morality.
The Kohen Gadol is instructed to only enter the Holy of Holies chamber of the sanctuary once a year, on Yom Kippur; and even on this holiest day of the year, the entry into the Beit Hamikdash's inner sanctum must be accompanied by a special service and specific offerings which are detailed in this weeks parsha reading. The Kohen Gadol was only permitted to enter amidst a cloud of burning incense. Also, special white garments were worn by the Kohen Gadol on this day. While offering the day's sacrifices, the Kohen Gadol would "confess" on behalf of the entire nation, attaining atonement for the past year's sins. This section continues with a description of the "scapegoat" ceremony procedure.
After concluding the order of the Yom Kippur service in the Beit Hamikdash, the Torah instructs us to observe Yom Kippur as a Day of Atonement when we must abstain from work and "afflict" ourselves. The Jews are then forbidden to offer sacrifices anywhere other than the Tabernacle or Beit Hamikdash.
We are advised not to eat or drink blood. When slaughtering fowl or undomesticated animals, we are obligated to cover their blood with earth. The Jews are cautioned not to follow the perverted ways of the Egyptians and Canaanites. On this note, the Torah provides a list of prohibited sexual relationships. The list includes adultery, cohabiting with a menstruating woman, and forbidden close relatives.
The prohibitions against homosexuality and bestiality are cited. The Jews are then warned that engaging in these forbidden relationships will result in their expulsion from the Land of Israel -- a holy land which cannot tolerate immoral behavior. G-d commands the Jewish people to be holy. This section then briefly discuses several laws: respecting parents; observing the Shabbat; prohibitions against idolatry; the obligation to burn "leftover" sacrificial meat; the obligation to leave certain parts of one's harvest for the poor; not to lie, cheat, withhold wages, swear falsely, curse or mislead another irrespective if they are Jewish or of another nation.
Not to pervert justice, gossip, be indifferent to a fellow's predicament, hate a fellow Jew, bear grudges, or take revenge. To reprimand a sinner, and to love every Jew. The following statutes are also given here: not to sow a field with two kinds of seed, wear a garment made of a mixture of wool and linen (shatnez), or crossbreed animals. The section also includes with the laws of one who commits adultery with a half-free maidservant. We are introduced to the laws of "orlah," the prohibition against eating the fruit of a new sapling for the first three years, and the obligation to sanctify the fruit of the fourth year. We are counseled not to engage in witchcraft or prostitution, or tattoo our bodies. Men are instructed not to destroy the hair at the edges of their scalp or the corners of their beards. We are commanded to observe the Shabbat; respect G-d's sanctuary, Torah scholars and the elderly.
We are commandment to love converts. We are also further required to be truthful in business dealing by maintaining honest weights and measures. The Torah prescribes capital punishment for one who worships Molech; a form of idolatry which required human sacrifices usually a first born child. The Torah also describes the punishment which will befall the nation if they neglect to punish Molech worshippers.
The Torah sets the punishments for individuals who curse their parents and those who engage in prohibited sexual relations. We are instructed not to follow the customs and traditions of the heathens, and to be meticulous about eating only kosher foods. The Torah portion ends with a reminder and request that we be holy.
G-d told Moshe, "Speak to the entire congregation of the Children of Israel and tell them, 'Be holy, for I, your G-d, am holy.' " (Vayikra 19:1- 2)
There are many ways to state the mission statement of the Jewish people, primarily "to be a light unto nations." Or, more specifically, like the moon reflects the light of the sun to mankind, the Jewish people are meant to reflect the light of G-d (Torah) to the world. That is the "WHAT" of the Jewish people.
This week's parshah is the "HOW" of the Jewish people. How does one become a light unto nations? The answer is by being holy, and the holier the better. The main symbol of this holiness was the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) who wore a gold plate on his forehead that said "Holy to G-d." However, in Parashat Yitro the entire Jewish nation was referred to as being a "Nation of Priests," and therefore even though we may not actually wear a gold plate on our forehead with such an inscription, its message must still be foremost in our minds.
One would think that a head-plate bearing such a holy message should be made of a humbler material instead of gold. Gold is gaudy, the symbol of wealth and often arrogance, but that was precisely the point. The Tzitz that the Kohen Gadol wore wasn't only telling us to be holy in all that we do, but that holiness also means sanctifying all that we use. If something has great potential for evil when used the wrong way, like the golden calf for example, then it has great potential for good when used the right way.
Thus, the Torah is a manual that shows us the potential of Creation for either good or for evil, which, of course, was the primary message of the Aitz HaDa'at Tov v'Rah (the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil). G-d told Adam HaRishon, "This tree has potential to be used for good, or for evil. Your free-will will determine in which direction it is used. The same is true for all of Creation."
At this time of year we count the Omer - 49 days from the second night of Pesach until Shavuot, the 50th day. Just as there are 49 Levels of Spiritual Impurity, there are 49 Levels Spiritual of Purity - Mem-Tet Panim Tumah v'Mem-Tet Panim Tahora. As the pasuk says, G-d is holy, the Ultimate Holiness, and since Shavuot is about an encounter with the Ultimate Holiness, ultimately, we must be as holy as possible. The Omer is meant to facilitate that process.
With the exception of Lag B'Omer, we count straight through. During Roman times as Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai was about to die, he revealed to his students what he had received from the mouth of his teacher, what would later become the basis of the Zohar HaKadosh (the Holy Zohar). He did this on the 33rd day of the Omer, giving this particular day somewhat of a festive feeling.
Of course, nothing is ever by coincidence. The particular character trait associated with that week of the counting as of the 29th day of the Omer is that of Hod (Glory), the trait of the Kohen Gadol, the symbol of holiness. And, just as each of the seven weeks of the Omer-Count has its own particular trait, Chesed, Gevurah, Tifferet, Netzach, Hod, Yesod, and Malchut, so does each of the seven days of a particular week, which in the case of the 33rd day, also happens to be Hod.
Thus, Lag B'Omer is the trait of Hod sh'b'Hod (the Glory of Glory), the essence of the Kohen Gadol, the basis of all holiness.
Hence, Lag B'Omer is a spiritual threshold that separates the first 32 days of the Omer from the last 17 days, including the 50th day. It tells us what the focus should have been until then in order to prepare us for the receiving of Torah, and what the application must become in the remaining period of time. And again, it is no coincidence that 32 is the gematria of the Hebrew word leiv (heart), and 17 is the gematria of the word tov (good), especially since Rebi Yochanan ben Zakkai taught:
He said to them: Go out and see which is the best way for a person to be. Rebi Eliezer said, "A good eye." Rebi Yehoshua said, "A good friend." Rebi Yosi said, "A good neighbor." Rebi Shimon said, "Anticipating what will happen." Rebi Elazar said, "A good heart." He told them, "I relate best to the opinion of Rebi Elazar ben Arach for included in his words are your words." (Pirkei Avos 2:13)
A good heart it is then, just as the Omer-Count also teaches, though only if Lag B'Omer is included.
If you need a place for Shabbat Meals or you would like to experience a more traditional Shabbat experience please do not hesitate to call. 416-829-1761.
Shabbat Shalom Umevorach-A peaceful and Blessed Shabbat
Yitzchak Alloul
This Parshah Preview is sponsored by Cars And Trucks 4 Less, Sales, Leasing and Financing. If you are in the market for a New or Used Vehicle give us a call “we will steer you in the right direction”. Please call 416-829-1761.
